Repairing Auriol digital weatherstation Z29962D-RX

Chris_N_2

I just thought I would explain how I repaired my Auriol (Lidl) digital clock / weatherstation Z29962D-RX in case the information would be useful to someone.

Symptoms: The weather station would not pick up the signal of the external temperature sensor unless it was right next to the weather station. The batteries were good. When I put the batteries in the external sensor the red led flashed showing that it was working fine. Cleaning the battery contacts on the sensor and the weather station did not help. Pressing the "register" button often resulted in a blank reading with flashing lines. It could not pick up the signal of the external sensor.

Solution: Over time the tuning of the radio inside the weather station had drifted. It had to be tuned again to the frequency of the sensor.

1- Remove the 4 screws behind the unit and pry open the two halves. It would be a good idea to take a picture in case a wire gets disconnected and you have to solder it back on.

2- Inside on the top right you will see a variable inductance coil.

Using a marker or a bit of correction fluid make a note of the position of the screw. For the test there will need to be good batteries installed. Its better to use a special plastic trimming screwdriver. But if you haven't got one, then any watchmakers screwdriver will do the job.

3- Place the external sensor about 5 metres away. Start by turning the screw 1/8 turn clockwise from the default position. Remove the screwdriver and press the register button. Wait to see if you get a temperature reading within a couple of minutes or if you just get a blank reading . If not then try 1/4 turn clockwise from the default position. Press the register position and wait. If still no result then try 1/8 and 1/4 turn anticlockwise from the default position. Keep on testing, and hopefully you will tune the radio and get a temperature within a couple of minutes.

4- Once you get an idea which direction the screw should be moved to improve the signal then keep turning it in 1/8 turn increments until you lose the signal. Repeat in the opposite direction until you find the point where the signal is lost again. Then adjust to the midpoint between these two readings. Reassemble and hopefully it should work properly.

I hope this information will be helpful to someone.

Kind regards
Chris